NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 107 OF 1998: CONSULTATION ON THE INTENTION TO ADOPT A STANDARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 107 OF 1998: CONSULTATION ON THE INTENTION TO ADOPT A STANDARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION

Notice Title: National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”): Consultation on the intention to adopt a standard for the development and expansion of electricity transmission

Government Notice: GN 4586 in GG 50417 on 28 March 2024

Commencing date: Comments to be submitted by 29 April 2024

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, intends to adopt the Standard for the Development and Expansion of Electricity Transmission and Distribution Power Line Infrastructure, 2024 in terms of section 24(10) of the NEMA, and to exclude, in terms of section 24(2)(d) of the NEMA, activities identified in terms of section 24(2)(a) and (b) of the NEMA for the development and expansion of electricity transmission and distribution power line infrastructure, including any associated activity or infrastructure, from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation, based on compliance with the Standard.

The exclusion from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation applies to the development and expansion of the following activities—

  • Listing Notice 1: 5.1.1. Activity 11; 5.1.2. Activity 47; or 5.2
  • Listing Notice 2: 5.2.1. Activity 9; and
  • any activity identified in Listing Notice 1, 2 or 3 necessary for the realisation of such infrastructure in areas identified by the screening tool as being of medium or low environmental sensitivity and confirmed to be such for identified environmental themes, or where the site sensitivity verification identifies that a very high or high environmental sensitivity rating as identified on the screening tool is in fact medium or low for the identified environmental themes, as well as in areas of very high or high environmental sensitivity under certain conditions identified in paragraphs 1.4(d) and (e) of the Standard.

The screening tool has been developed based on information gathered through two strategic environmental assessments related to overhead transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as three strategic environmental assessments that were undertaken for renewable energy generation technology, with a fourth in progress and a further strategic environmental assessment undertaken for gas infrastructure. The experience gained and information generated from these strategic environmental assessments, as well as the collation of information generated by other national departments and state-owned entities has allowed for the development of the national web based environmental screening tool. This screening tool provides guidance on environmental sensitivities of a specific geographical location or site related to various identified environmental themes. Environmental sensitivities are rated as “very high”, “high”, “medium” or “low”.

The intention is that the existing Standard for the Development and Expansion of Power Lines and Substations within Identified Geographical Areas Revision 2 (June 2022), and the exclusion that is based on such Standard, published under GNR 2313 of 27 July 2022 will be repealed and replaced by the Standard for the Development and Expansion of Electricity Transmission and Distribution Power Line Infrastructure, 2024 once gazetted for implementation and with effect of the publication of this Standard and its associated exclusions in the Government Gazette, for implementation

For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here.

For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.

LEAVE A COMMENT